Clarence House, Royal residence in Westminster, England
Description
Clarence House is a residence of the royal family in central London, standing directly beside St James's Palace along The Mall. The four-floor building with its pale stucco facade contains several reception rooms on the ground floor and private living quarters on the upper levels.
History
Architect John Nash designed the house in 1827 for the Duke of Clarence, who later became King William IV. After World War II, the building served as the principal residence of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and subsequently of the Prince of Wales.
Culture
Visitors walking through the ground floor rooms notice how portraits, furniture pieces and decorative items from different royal periods sit together in working reception spaces. The arrangement shows how the residence functions as a family home rather than a museum, with personal touches visible throughout the interiors.
Practical
The house opens for guided tours during summer, when visitors can walk through the main ground floor reception rooms. Tours last around an hour and advance booking is recommended since places fill quickly.
Did you know?
The original Regency proportions and architectural details remain largely intact, even as modern facilities were added over the decades. An elevator was installed during later renovations without compromising the historic fabric of the building.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (City of Westminster).
St James's Palace
95 m
Spencer House
176 m
Lancaster House
48 m
Bridgewater House
130 m
York House, St. James's Palace
79 m
Mark Masons' Hall, London
140 m
Friary Court
88 m
Queen Alexandra Memorial
140 m
Queen Mary Memorial
161 m
Dean's Residence, Queen's Chapel
150 m
29, St James's Place Sw1
181 m
Stornaway House
96 m
12, Cleveland Row Sw1
87 m
74, St James Street Sw1
167 m
10, Cleveland Row Sw1
81 m
Stable Yard Gate Lodge
71 m
87 And 88, St James's Street Sw1
123 m
9, Cleveland Row Sw1
78 m
11, Cleveland Row Sw1
84 m
The Constitutional Club
138 m
Marlborough Gate
150 m
Stable Yard Gates
68 m
8 Lamp Standards Numbered 1 And 3 To 9 (Consecutive)
113 m
6 Lamp Standards
140 m
Boundary Wall To Grounds Of St James's Palace
130 m
3 St James's Street
181 m
8, Cleveland Row Sw1
75 m
1–2 St James's Street
160 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes